Tongs



March 6, 1962 E. M. WALLACE TONGS 4 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1959fil 5/? er M. Wa//oc INVENTOR. BY W 9M ATTORNE VJ March 6, 1962 E. M.WALLACE TONGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 25, 1959 5/? er A4. Wa//oceINVENTOR.

ATTORNEY) March 6, 1962 E. M. WALLACE TONGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.23, 1959 [/mer M Wa//ace INVENTOR. B wqw ATTORNEVJ United States PatentF 3,023,651 TONGS Elmer M. Wallace, Lafayette, La., assignor to LambRental Tools, Inc., a corporation of Louisiana Filed Dec. 23, 1959, Ser.No. 861,620 Claims. (CI. 8157) The present invention relates to a tongfor gripping tubular members and imparting rotary motion thereto, andmore particularly to improvements in power operated tongs for use withtubular members.

At the present time, various types of power operated tongs are providedwhereby a rotary motion or torque may be imparted to a tubular member soas to threadedly connect the tubular member to another member or todisconnect tubular members. More particularly, in the drilling andcompletion of well bores, it is necessary to lower a long string of pipeinto a well bore in the earths surface, or to remove the pipe stringfrom the well bore. This string of pipe is composed of a plurality ofjoints or sections of pipe of predetermined length, such as 20, or feet,and threads are provided on each of the joints of pipe whereby they maybe threadedly connected together as the pipe is lowered into the wellbore, and threadedly disconnected as they are removed from the wellbore.

The tongs presently employed for rotating the pipe sections to connector disconnect them relative to each other are disadvantageous for manyreasons. For example, in order to most efliciently use a tong, it isdesirable to supply power thereto so that the mechanism of the tong canbe rotated by power, rather than manually, which rotation is in turnimparted to the tubular member or pipe section on which the tong ispositioned. The tongs are generally provided with jaw segments, whichsegments are moved into engagement with the tubular member so thatrotation may be transmitted from the tongs to the tubular member. Incertain tongs, presently employed, the construction of the jaw segmentsis such that the area of contact of the jaw segments with the tubularmember is restricted to a relatively small area on the circumferentialperiphery of the tubular member, so that when the jaw segments engagethe pipe the rotating effort or force is applied over a relatively smallcircumferential area of the tubular member. Even under normal use of thetong, the pressure exerted may be suflicient to cause the tubular memberto become damaged at the point of contact with the jaws.

Also, some power tongs mount the jaw segments in a manner so that therotating elfort, or load applied through the jaw segments of the tongsis concentrated over a relatively limited area of the pipe or tubularmember, which further increases and enhances the possibility of damageto the tubular member not only by scarring, but by applying a load at agiven point or on a circumferential area or portion of the tubularmember which may cause the tubular member to become permanentlydeformed.

Not only is the construction of the jaw segments and the manner ofmoving the jaw segments into engagement with the tubular memberobjectionable, but also the manner of initiating the gripping action ofthe jaws with the tubular member, or the manner of starting the jawsegments to move into engagement with the tubular member createsadditional problems in power tongs presently employed.

Additionally, power tongs presently employed are extremely difiicult toengage about the tubular member. Some tongs are constructed so that theymust be positioned about the tubular member by slipping the tongdownwardly and longitudinally about the tubular member. It can beappreciated that this is extremely disad- ICC vantageous since it may bedesirable to immediately unthread a pipe section after it has beenthreaded with another pipe section, such as for example where the pipesections have threaded incorrectly and it is desirable to reverse therotation of the tubular member in order to rethread it. Where the tongsare constructed so that they must be engaged with the tubular member byplacing them over the tubular member from one end, the tong mustthereupon under the above described circumstances be partiallydisassembled and the jaw segments then removed from the tong andreversed as to their position in the tong and the tong thereafterreassembled, whereupon the reversing operation may be performed.Thereafter the tong is again partially disassembled, the jaw segmentsreturned to their normal position, and the tongs then reassembled forengagement with the pipe. It can be appreciated that this operation isextremely time consuming, and furthermore the raising and lowering ofthe tongs to position them on the pipe requires additional equipmentwhich in turn creates problems in the installation and servicingthereof, as well as manipulation or operation of the equipment.

Other tong constructions presently employed provide a radial slot oropening in the tong so that the tong may be slipped laterally about thepipe, whereupon the radial opening is closed and rotation imparted tothe tubular member engaged in the tong. It can be appreciated that thistype of construction is also objectionable in that the size pipe whichcan be handled by the device is limited by the size of radial opening,so that it is necessary to employ several djfierent tongs with varioussize radial openings where the handling of diiferent diameter of pipe isnecessary. When it is desirable to reverse the direction of rotationwith this type construction, it is necessary to remove the tongs fromabout the tubular member, turn them over and then reposition them on thetubular member or take the jaw segments out of the tong and reversetheir respective positions in the tong. This also is extremelydisadvantageous.

Also, most tongs employ a cage mechanism which supports the jaw segmentsin the tong. This cage mechanism further reduces the range of pipe sizewhich may be handled by any particular tong because the cage mechanismreduces the opening size in the tongs and the jaw segments mountedthereon reduce it even further. This reduction in the opening in thetong substantially decreases the range of pipe which can be handled byany particular size tong.

The present invention relates to a power tong which overcomes all of theabove and other problems presently encountered with power tongs.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a power tong forimparting rotation to tubular members which tong is formed of asegmented construction so that the tong can be opened up and easilypositioned about a pipe, and which tong eliminates the use of a cagemechanism to thereby permit the tong to be used on a wider range of pipesizes.

Also, the tong provides a jaw segment construction which engages therotary'member substantially over its entire circumferential peripherythereby more evenly distributing the torque applied to the tubularmember to inhibit damage thereto, and which jaw segments are mounted inthe tong so that they can be reversed without removing the tong fromengagement about the tubular member. The present invention also employsan arrangement of jaw segments which eliminates special actuatingmechanism to initially move the jaws into engagement with the pipe ortubular member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tong wherein thejaw segments for engaging a tubular a pipe, the segmented tong includingsegmented jaws which engage the tubular member over substantially itsentire circumferential peripheral extent.

Yet a further object or" the present invention is to provide a powertong of relatively simple construction which can be disassembled, ifdesired, with a minimum of effort.

Stilla further object of the present invention is to provide a segmentedtong construction which can be readily positioned about a tubularmember, which segmented construction automatically locks when positionedabout a tubular member to inhibit relative movement of the segmentedportions while theton'g is in use.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to 7 provide a powertong which is formed of segmented construction wherein the segments areconstructed and arranged, and are provided with means, whereby they arelocked against undesired relative movement when the tong is positionedabout a tubular member, and which construction and arrangement enablesthe power tong to be quickly and easily disengaged from the tubularmember when desired. H

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide in a powertong a construction for imparting rotation to a tubular member whereinjaw segments are 'mounted on a segmented ring adapted to be positionedvarious diameter in the tong.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readilyapparent from a consideration of the following description and drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the tong of the presentinvention opened and ready to be positioned about a tubular member;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the segmented ring and illustratesthe..rigid relationship of the ring segments when the tong is closedabout a tubular member and imparting rotation thereto;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view partly in elevation and illustrating the tongof the present invention engaged about a tubular member and showing therelationship of the components of the device during operation thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 to illustrateadditional structural details of the segmented "rotary ring, as well asillustrating the roller means for supporting the rotary ring in thehousing, and the manner of supporting certain of jaw segments on thesegmented ring;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of FIG. 7

p and illustrates the locking means for holding the segments of therotary ring in rigid relationship when the tong is actuated;

FIG. 5A is a sectional View on the line 5A-5A of FIG. 5 showing furtherstructural details of the segmented ring locking means;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of FIG. 3 and shows in greaterdetail the cam surface means and arrangement on one of the rotary ringsegments and one of the jaw segments for actuating the jaw segments andmoving them into engagement with the tubular member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tong of the present. inventionshowing it in position on a pipe;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of one of the segmentsof the rotary ring and the jaw segment thereon, showing in greaterdetail the cam surface arrangement for actuating the jaw segments. FIG.8 showsthe relative position of the jaw segment on the ring segment whenthe cam surface means is in inoperative position; 7

FIG. 9 is a view somewhat similar to FIG. 8 but show-- ing the jawsegment in elevation in order to illustrate the window therein formingpart of the cam surface ar-' rangernent; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and illustrating:

the relative position of the jaw segment to the ring segment and therelative position of the components of the cam surface arrangement forengaging the segmented jaws with the tubular member.

Attention is first directed to'FIG. 1 of the drawing wherein theinvention is illustrated generally by the numeral 10 and is shown asbeing opened for receiving a tubular member therein whereby the tong maythereafter be closed about the tubular member and rotation imparted tothe tong and the tubular member.

In FIG. 3 the tong 10 is illustrated in closed position about thetubular member and the components thereof in position for impartingrotation to the tubular member in a desired direction. The tong 10includes the housing designated generally at 11 which housing isillustrated as being hollow and including the bottom wall 12, side wallor peripheral end wall 13 and top wall 14. The

housing 11 walls 12, 13 and 14 are cut as illustrated at 14a toform thehousing in segments 15, 16 and 17,

' with the segment 15 being designated the main housing segment and thesegments 16 and 17 being connected to the main segment portion 15 at thepivot points 16 and 17', respectively.

The main segment portion 15 of the housing 11 is of a general Yconfiguration as better illustrated in FIG. 7

'with the segments 16 and 17 mounted on the legs 15' and 15",respectively of the housing segment 15 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7.The lower wall 12 and top Wall 14 extend laterally from end wall 13 asuitable distance so that the segments 15,16 and 17 when closed asillustrated in FIGS. 3and 7 define a substantially circular opening 18in which the tubular member 19 is received. The lower wall 12, top wall14 and end wall 13 are also constructed so that each segment 15-, 16 and17 is circular, and define a housing portion for receiving Y segmentedrotary ring 32 and jaw segments 37, 38 and 39..

The pivot points 16' and 17' for the segments 16 and 17 respectively mayassume any suitable construction and as illustrated in the drawingspivot pins 16a and 17a of suitable size are provided and extend throughthe top wall 14 and the bottom wall 12 of the main segment. 15 and alsoextend through reinforcing brackets 20..

There are four reinforcing brackets which are secured on.

the top and bottom of legs 15 and 15" by any suitable: means such assupport blocks 21 which are welded to the top 14 and bottom 12 and tothe reinforcing, brackets 20.

Brackets 22 and 22' secured to the top and bottom of each of thesegments-16 and 17 respectively, extend from each of the segments tooverlap the legs 15' and 15" respectively, and fit beneath thereinforcing bracket 20 on each of the legs 15' and 15" as illustrated inFIG. 1 of the drawings. The pivot pins 16a and 17a extend through theupper and lower walls 12 and 14 of the main segment 15 as well as thereinforcing brackets 20 and whereby a nut may be engaged thereon to holdthem each in place.

This construction permits the housing 11 to be opened up easily andquickly as shown in FIG. 1 for receiving pipe therein and thereafter thesegments 16 and 17 can be pivoted to a closed position as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 7 whereupon the latch 25 locks the segments 16 and 17relative to the main segment to prevent relative movement of thesegments, or opening of the segments as the tong is in operation. Thelatch 01' lock means includes the projection or lug 26 mounted on one ofthe segments such as the segment 17 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 and thelatch member 27 which is mounted on the bracket 23 by means of the pivotpin 29 on the other of the segments. A spring 30 is arranged so as tourge the latch member 27 into engagement with the lug 26 when thesegmented housing is closed about a tubular member 19. In order to openthe housing, the latch member 27 must be depressed towards the tong andagainst the action of the coil spring 36 so thatthe member 27 maydisengage from the lug 26, whereupon the housing may be open.

A plurality of roller means as illustrated generally at 31 are mountedat spaced intervals in each of the housing segments 15, 16 and 17 andprovide a means for supporting the rotary ring designated generally at32. The outer periphery 33 of the rotary ring is provided with gearteeth 34 so that the rotary ring 32 may be rotated through the geartrain 35 which is actuated by a suitable power source (illustrated indotted line at 36 in FIG. 1). The rotary ring 32 in turn supports thejaw segments 37, 38, and 39 thereon whereby the segments may engage thetubular member 19 and impart rotation thereto. A cam surface arrangementillustrated generally by the numeral 40 is provided on the ring 32 andone of the jaw segments whereby all of the jaw segments may be movedinto operative engagement with the tubular member when rotation isimparted to the rotary ring 32.

The rotary ring 32 is also segmented so that it can be opened or spreadapart simultaneously when the housing 11 is spread apart and thereafterclosed about the tubular member 19 as the housing 11 is closed about thetubular member.

The rotary ring 32 includes the main segment 41 with the segments 42 and43 being pivotally connected to the main segment 41 by any suitablemeans such as the pivot pins 44 and 45'. Each of the rotary ringsegments 41, 42 and 43 includes a central plate 45 with an upper plate46 and a lower plate 47 secured thereto by any suitable means such asbolts or the like, as illustrated at 48 as best seen in FIG. 4 of thedrawings. It will be noted that the central plate 45 is substantiallywider than the upper and lower plates 46 and 47 and that the upper andlower plates 46 and 47 are positioned adjacent, but spaced from, theouter periphery or edge 33 of the central plate 45.

The upper plate 46 on the main segment 41 and the lower plate 47 on themain segment 41 extend beyond the ends of the central plate 45 so as tooverlap the central plate 45 of each of the segments 42 and 43. As canbe seen in FIG. 3 of the drawing, the central plate 45 of the segment 41is illustrated as terminating at 50 in the arcuate recess as shown andthe central plates 45 of each of the segments terminate in the arcuateprojection 50a which interfits the recess 50. The upper and lower plates46 and 47 of the main ring segment 41 have portions 51 which extendbeyond the end of 59 of the central plate '45 of the segment 41. Thecentral plate 45 of each of the segments 42 and 43 fits between theextended portions 51 of the upper and lower plates 46 and 47 on the mainrotary ring segment 41, and the overlapping portions 51 of the upper andlower plates 46 and 47 on the ring segment 41 terminate as illustratedat 52. The upper and lower plates 46 and 47 of each of the ring segmentsterminate as shown at52a, and each extends arcuately about itsrespective segment as shown in the drawing. The upper and lower plates46 and 47 of each of the ring segments 42 and 43 are constructed in amanner, and are provided with means to lock them in engagement as willbe described in greater detail hereinafter.

The pivot pins 44 and 45' extend through the upper and lower plates 46and 47 which are mounted on the main segment 41 of the rotary ring 32,and extend through the central plate 45 of each of the segments 42 and43 whereby the segments 42 and 43 are pivotally mounted on the mainrotary ring segment '41.

The interfitting ends 50, 50a of the central plates 45 on the main ringsegment 41 and each ring segment 42, 43 respectively, and the manner offitting the central plate 45 of each ring segment 42, 43 between theextended portion 50 of each upper and lower plate 46, 47 along with thearrangement of the pivot pins 44, 45 enable the rotary ring 32 to beopened easily when the housing 11 is opened and thereafter closed abouta tubular member.

Of course, the ring segment 41, as well as the segments 42, 43 must bein a predetermined position in the housing 11 to enable the tong to beopened, and if desired a suitable marking on the housing 11 and ring 32may be utilized to visually indicate when the ring 32 is aligned in thehousing 11 so that the tong can be opened.

In FIG. 3 the segments 41, 42 and 43 of the rotary ring 32 areillustrated in a position when the jaw segments 37, 38 and 39 are movedinto engagement with the tubular member 19. When the rotary ring 32 isin this position the housing 11 and the rotary ring 32 are locked inposition about the tubular member 19, and the segments of the housing 11as well as the segments of the rotary ring 32 are locked againstrelative movement. in order to open the housing 11 and the rotary ring32 to either engage or disengage the tubular member 19, the rotary ring32 must be aligned with the housing as noted above and as will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter.

The roller means 31 for supporting the rotary ring 32 is bestillustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawing and is shown as including theroller member 61 which is rotatably mounted by any suitable means suchas the bearings 62 upon the eccentric shaft 63. The shaft 63 extendsthrough the upper and lower surfaces 14 and 12 of the housing and isretained in position by means of the enlarged annular collar 64 at theupper end and the nut 65 which is threadedly connected to the lower end.The roller member 61 provides the roller surfaces 66 and 67 which areadapted to abut the edges 68 and 69 of the lower and upper plates 47 and46, respectively.

As can be viewed in FIG. 3 the rollers are circumferentially spacedabout the rotary ring 32 so that when the rotary ring 32 is rotated, thesurfaces 66 and 67 roll around and engage the outer peripheral edges 68and 69 of the lower and upper plates 47 and 46, respectively. Thecentral plate 45 extends into the recess 70 on member 61 formed betweenthe roller surfaces 66 and 67.

The eccentric shaft 63 enables the roller member 61 to be adjustedrelative to the outer peripheral edges 68 and 69 to compensate for wearof the roller surfaces 66 and 67 and wear of the edges 68 and 69.

The termination of upper and lower plates 14 and 12 of the housing 11defines an opening 18 in the housing as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Thecentral plate 45 of the rotary ring 32 extends inwardly relative to theopening 18 in the housing and the edge 93 of each central plate 45 ofeach ring segment 41, 42 and 43 defines a circular opening 93a. Theplate 45 also supports the jaw segments 37, 38 and 39 on the rotary ring32.

The jaw segments 37, 38 and 39 are generally arcuate in configuration,and each is provided with an arcuate slot 36a in its rear edge betweenthe upper and lower surfaces 7 of the jaw segment, in which slot theplate 45' of each ring segment is received, as best seen in FIG. 4. Theslot 3611 includes the side walls 36b and 36c spaced to slide on thesurfaces 45b and 450 of each central plate respectively. The edge 93 ofeach of the plates 45 abuts the end 36d of the slot in the jaw segmentmounted there- The above enables the jaws to slide circumferentially,but inhibits the jaws from becoming skewed in relation to each other orin relation to the plate 45 on which they are carried so that they arealways in position to properly engage the pipe 19 whencontacted'therewith.

The jaw segments 38 and 39 are retained on the plate 45 of each of therotary ring segments 42 and 43 by suitable means such as the arcuatewindow 80 which is provided in each of the central plates 45 of each ofthe ring segments 42 and 43. A pin 81 extends through the slot 36a ineach of the jaw segments 38 and 39 and through each of the windows 80 toposition the jaw segments on the central plate 45. The window 80 isslightly larger in width than the diameter of the pin 81, to enable thetransmission of the load from the jaw segment to the ring segment asnoted before.

The pin 81 may be threaded into the lower portion of the jaw segment asillustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawing ifdesired. This arrangementaccommodates circumferential sliding of each of the jaw segments 38 and390m each of the rotary ring segments 42 and 43 to enable the jawsegments 37 38 and 39 to engage the pipe 19 properly and to enable thejaw segments to disengage from the tubular member 19 when desired. Anysuitable configuration or means may be provided on the face of jawsegments as illustrated at 82 for aiding in gripping the surface of thetubular member 19, as shown in FIG. 3, the means 82 may be fitted indovetail grooves 82 on the jaw segments, and

surface of the bottom wall 12 of each of the housing seg-' ments 15, 16and 17 for retaining the rotary segments 41, 42 and 43 in positiontherein. The block 84 may be retained in position in each of the housingsegments by any suitable means such as the screw 85 secured through thelower plate 12 of the housing '11 and into the block 84 as shown in FIG.4 of the drawing.

A cam arrangement 40 is provided for moving the jaw segments 37, 38 and39 into engagement with tubular membe 19. The cam arrangement includesthe arcuate window 90 in the jaw segment 37, holes 91 and 92 positionedadjacent each end of the window and in the central plate 45 of the ringsegment 41, a pin 105 for fitting in either hole, and a recess, or camsurface designated generally by the numeral 94 on the edge 93 of theplate 45 of ring segment 41. The jaw segment 37 is illustrated as beingcut away as shown at 96 in the slot 36a for receiving the roller 97therein which roller is mounted on the pin 98 that extends through thejaw segment 37. The roller 97 is positioned in the jaw segment 37 sothat the outer peripheral edge 99 of the roller extends beyond thenormal peripheral edge 36d of the jaw segment 37 as illustrated at 100in FIG, 8.

When the jaw segment 37 is in the position on the rotary ring segment 41as represented in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the cam surface or camarrangement 40 is inoperative to move the jaw segment 37 inwardlyrelative to the ring segment 41 to engage the tubular member 19. It willbe noted that when the jaw segment 37 is in the position as illustratedin FIG. 8, the roller 97 is adjacent, but spaced from the centralrecessed portion 95 in the recessed portion 94 on the edge 93 of thecentral plate 45.

The edge 93 of the plate 45 on the segment 41 along with the edges 93 ofeach of the central plate 45 'of each of the segments 42 and 43define'the circular opening 93a, as noted previously, and as alsopreviously noted with regard to FIG. 4, the jaw segments in their normalposition are adapted to abut the edge 93 of the central plate and slidetherealong. In order to engage the tubular member 19, at least one ofthe jaw segments must'be moved inwardly toward the tubular member 19 toengage it whereupon the diameter of the opening 93a existing in the tong10 between the jaw segments will be reduced sufficiently to therebyelfect gripping of the tubular member 19 by the jaw segments 37, 38 and39. A pin 105 is adapted to be positioned in either of the openings 91or 92 depending upon the direction of rotation of the rotary ring 32 andthe direction of rotation in which it is desired to engage the tubularmember 19 with the jaw segments 37, 38 and 39.

For example, if the pin 105 is positioned as shown in FIG. 3, it is inthe opening 91 and if the gear train 35 is rotated in the direction asillustrated by (the arrow 106, then rotation is imparted to the rotaryring 32 in a counterclockwise direction as represented by the arrow 107.When this occurs the segments 41, 42 and 43 will rotate together andupon initial rotation of the rotary ring 32 each of the jaw segments 37,38 and '39 will tend to re main stationary relative to the plate 45 uponwhich it is supported until the pin 81 in each of the jaw segments 38and 39 engage the end of the groove 80 whereupon they will then rotatein unison with the rotary ring 32.

However, since :the peripheral edge 99 of the roller 97 projectsoutwardly beyond the edge 36d of the slot in jaw segment 37, rotation ofthe segment 41 relative to jaw segment 37 will cause the roller 97 toride upon the cam surface 94 as shown in dotted line in FIG. 3, therebyforcing the jaw segment 37 inwardly against the tubular member 19. Whenthis occurs, the opening between the jaw segments 37, 38 and 39 isdecreased so that the jaw segments 38 and 39 also then engage with thetubular member 19. As a practical matter, the engagement of the jawsegment 37 and the engagement of the jaw segments 38 and 39 with thetubular member 19 is substantially simultaneous.

As long as the rotary ring 32 is rotated in the direction of the arrow107 when the pin 105 is in the hole 91, the jaw segments will'beretained in engagement with the tubular member 19. If the direction ofrotation of the rotary ring 32 is reversed with the pin 105 in hole 91,

- then the jaw segment 37 will tend to remain stationary so that thering segment 41 moves relative thereto to disengage the peripheral edgeof the roller 97 from the surface 94 to reposition the roller asillustrated in FIG. 8. Since jaw segment 37 is thereby released fromtubular member 19, the opening size between the jaw segments isincreased, and the jaws 38 and 39' also disengage from the member 19.

An advantage of the present invention is that the cam arrangement 40enables the jaw segments 37, 38 and 39 to grip the tubular member 19 ineither direction of rotation of the rotary ring 32 with a minimum ofadjustment. For example, if the pin 105 is moved to the hole 92 asillustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawing and if the gear train 35 is againrotated in the direction of the arrow 106, the rotary ring "32 Willagain rotate in the direction of the arrow 107; however, the pin 105will abut the edge 110 of the window when the segment 41 moves relativeto the jaw segment 37 and thereby prevent the roller 98 from engagingthe cam surface 94 on the edge 93 of the plate 45 of the segment 41. Inthis manner, the rotary ring 32 may be turned relative to the pipe 19and not engage the jaws therewith.

If the direction of rotation of the gear train 35 is reversed so thatthe direction of rotation of the rotary ring 32 is in a clockwisedirection, thatis in a direction opposite to the arrow 107 of FIG. 3,then the pin When in hole 92 must travel the length of the Window 90before it engages the edge 111 of the window. The relationship of theroller 97 and the arrangement of the cam surface 94 is such that priorto the time that the pin 105 has traversed the length of the Window 90,the peripheral edge 99 of 9 the roller will have engaged the cam surface94 as illustrated in dotted line in FIG. 10 of the drawing. This causesthe jaw segment 37 to move radially inwardly to decrease the openingbetween the jaw segments 37, 38 and 39 whereupon the jaw segments 37, 38and 39 grip the tubular member 19.

It should be noted that when the pin 105 is positioned in the hole 91 aspreviously described with regard to the FIG. 3 illustration, the rotaryring 32 can be moved in a clockwise direction, that is in a directionopposite to the direction of arrow 107 in FIG. 3, and the pin 105 insuch event will contact the edge 11 1 of the window 90 and thereby lockthe jaw segment 37 and the rotary segment 41 together so that the jawsegment 37 will not move inwardly.

From the above description, it can be seen that when the pin 105 is inthe hole 91 the rotary ring 32 when moved in a counterclockwisedirection as represented by the arrow 107 will cause the jaw segments37, 38 and 39 to grip the tubular member 19, whereas clockwise directionof rotation of the rotary ring 32 will release the jaw segments 37, 38and 39 from engaging with the tubular member 19 and maintain them innon-engaged position. When the pin 105 is in the hole 92, then the jawsegments 37, 38 and 39 will engage the tubular member 19 when the rotaryring '32 is rotated in a clockwise direction and will release from thetubular member when the rotary ring is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection as represented by the arrow 107 in FIG. 3.

This construction is particularly advantageous in that it enables theoperator to reverse the direction of actuation of the tongs withoutbreaking the tong apart and disengaging it from the tubular member, andwithout removing the jaw segments from the tong.

It is necessary to retain the segmented rotary ring 32 in lockedposition when the segments are closed about the tubular member 19 toprevent relative movement of the ring segments 41, 42 and 43 duringactuation of the tongs, and to prevent the rotary ring 32 from becomingdisconnected during use. FIG. 5 illustrates a form of lock means used inconnection with the present invention to accomplish this purpose.

In FIG. 5 the lock means is illustrated generally by the numeral 120. Indescribing the lock or latch means 120, it should be noted in connectionwith FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing that the ring segment 41 of the rotaryring 32 is received within the housing segment 15 when the tong isopened to receive the tubular member, or immediately after the tong hasbeen closed about a tubular member as illustrated in FIG. 7. Also, thesegment ring 42 of the rotary ring 32 is received within the housingsegment 16, and the ring segment 43 of the rotary ring 32 is receivedwithin the housing segment 17. FIG. 2 represents schematically therelationship of the segments 41, 42 and 43 of the rotary ring 32immediately after the housing 11 and rotary ring 32 have been closedabout the tubular member and the lock means 120 is shown in positionready to lock the ring segments 42, 43 relative to each other andrelative to the segment 41.

It will be noted that the housing segments 16 and 17 are each providedwith an upstanding portion defining a recess as illustrated generally at121 in FIGS. 1 and 5. This recess is formed in the upper surface 14 ofthe housing 11 and when the housing 11 and rotary ring 32 are closedabout the tubular member 19 the housing segments assume the lockedrelationship shown in FIG. 3, and the rotary ring 32 assumes theposition shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing relative to the tubular memberand relative to the housing 11. At this time the lock means 120 ispositioned immediately below the recess 121 so that the lock means is asyet unactuated, but ready to actuate to connect the segments 42 and 43together, while FIG. 3 represents the lock means 120 actuated andconnecting the segments 41, 42 and 43 together in rigid relationship.

The lock means includes the block 123 which is adapted to fit in therecess 124 formed in the upper plate 46 at the end of the ring segment42, as best seen in FIG. 5A. It will be noted that the upper plate 46 ofthe ring segment 43 overlaps the center plate 45 of the segment 42, asbest illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Also, the lower plate 47 ofring segment 43 underlaps the central plate 45 of the segment 42 so thatwhen the segments 16 and 17 are abutted together, the central plate 45of the ring segment 42 extends between the upper and lower plates 46 and47 of the ring segment 43. This is the relative position of the adjacentends of the ring segments 42 and 43 when the housing 11 and the segments16 and 17 thereof are closed about a tubular member. In order to holdthe block 123 in position in the recess 124, while accommodating up anddown movement thereof, a groove or slot 125 may be provided on each sideof the slot in plate 46 so as to receive the pin 126 therethrough, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 5A. This holds the block 1 23 in position in plate46 of ring segment 42, and prevents it from falling out when the ringsegments 42 and 43 are not engaged. A roller 127 is mounted on the shaft128 in block 123 and is adapted to abut the inner surface 129 of theupper plate 14 of the housing 11 as rotation is imparted to the rotaryring 32.

A spring 130 tends to urge the block 123 and roller 127 outwardlyrelative to the upper plate 46 so as to abut the inner surface 129 ofthe plate 14 of the housing. The spring 130 is mounted in the recess130a of the central plate 45 and surrounds the spindle 130i). Thespindle 13% extends upwardly into the opening 1300 and guides the block123 as it moves up and down in the slot 124.

When the roller 127 is adjacent the raised portion 121 of the upperhousing surface or plate 14, the block 123 by reason of the spring 130acting thereon, will urge it outwardly into the recess 121. The block123 has the projection 131 depending therefrom which extends throughplate 45 of ring segment 42, and when the rotary ring 32 is rotated sothat the block 123 is moved out of the recess 121 and reseated in 124,then the block 123 will be depressed so that the projection 131 engagesin the opening 132 in the lower plate 47 of the ring segment 43. Thislocks the segments 42 and 43 together and prevents relative movementthereof. When the roller 127 is urged upwardly into the recess 121,projection 131 is disengaged from opening 132.

The pivot pins 44, 45' and the lock or latch 120 form a rigidconstruction which prevents the ring segments 41, 42 and 43 of therotary ring 32 from moving relative to each other. This isdiagrammatically represented in FIG. 2 wherein it can be seen that therotary ring 32 forms a rigid construction by reason of the triangularrelationship of the pivot pins 44, 45 and the lock means 120 which holdthe segments in rigid relationship when closed about and rotating abouta tubular member. Additionally, it will be noted that the central plate45 is segmented in an arcuate manner as indicated at 50 and 50a so thatwhen the ring segments are closed about a tubular member and the endsthereof are positioned together, they will interlock with each otheralong the line of segmentation. The end 50 provides a recess in the ringsegment 41 and the end 50a of each ring segment 42, 43 in eifectprovides a projection to aid in interlocking the ends of the ringsegments together.

While it is believed that the operation of the invention is apparent byreason of the foregoing description, to further amplify and illustrate,it will be assumed that the device is to be engaged on a tubular membersuch as a casing or the like for rotating the casing to threadedlyengage it with a casing section immediately therebeneath. The tong 10will be moved toward the tubular member while in open position asillustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing, and after the tong is positionedabout the tubular member the housing 11 will be closed mani uallynbygrasping the handles 150, -1S1,-whereupon the When rotation is impartedto the rotary ring 3'2, the

' :segments of the rotary ring 32 are locked together by reason of thelatch 120, to prevent relative movement of the ring segments duringoperation of the tong. The pin.;-S is then positioned either in the hole91 or 92,

. depending upon which direction it is desired to rotate the tubularmember 19.

If it is desired to impart rota- 'tion to "the tubular member 19 in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, then the pin 105 will be2 placed in the hole 91; however, if it is desired to rotate the tubularmember 19 in 'a clockwise direction then the *pin105 will be placed inthe hole 92.

' Thereupon rotation may be imparted to the rotary ring '32 in thedesired direction to cause the actuation of'the i*cam"arrang'ement 40 toe'ngage'the tubular member 19 andobtain the desired direction ofrotation of the tubular It will be noted that the'jaw segments 37,

scarring or damage to the pipe, and to inhibit the application of anexcessive pressure to a localized area of the tubular member.

Additionally, it is to be noted that the jaw segments move intoengagement with the tubular member 19 without any actuating mechanismother than the difference in momentum between the rotary ring 32 and thejaw segment 37, 'at the beginning of rotation of the rotary "ring 32.Similarly, the jaw segments '37, 38 and 39 move out of engagement withthe tubular member 19 merely by reversing the direction of rotation ofthe rotary ring r 32 from the direction required to engage the jawsegments with the tubular member.

T T he construction of the present invention is such that the rotaryring 32 transmits the reaction of the torque applied to the tubularmember 19 to the rollers 31 and "then 'to the tong housing 11 therebydistributing the load over a plurality of members, and over thesubstantial circumferential extent of the tong. This prevents theapplication of any undue reaction forces in the tong mechanism and tendsto retain the reaction forces balanced inthe' tong.

When it is desired to open the tong 10 to disengage it'from'the tubularmember 19 or to engage it with a tubular member, the ring 32 may bevisually aligned,

' with housing 11, by aligning marks 160, 161 which indicates thateachring segment 41, 42 and 43 is positioned respectively in hollow housingsegments 15, 16

' and '17 whereupon the tong may be opened as shown in FIG. 1.

' i It will be further noted that the rotary ring 32 is supported in thehousing solely on the roller means 31 and retained in position only bymeans of the blocks 84 thereby enabling the ring to be removed from thehous- "ing for repair or replacement with a minimum of effort.

1 Similarly, the jaw segments 37, 38 and 39 are mounted on the ringsegments 41, 42 and 43 in a manner so that the jaw'segments'can beremoved if desired and jaw segments of difierent sizes placed in thetong in order toengage tubular members of larger or smaller diameter *as"desired. "To remove jaw segments 38 and 39 the pin 80 in each jawsegment is unthreaded and the jaw removed. To remove 'jaw segment 37,pin 105 is removed,

whereupon jaw 37 may be removed.

No cage mechanism is provided for supporting the "jawse'gments, ratherthe jaw segments are mounted directly on the rotary ring which enablesthe tong of the present invention to function on various size diameter:pipes.

The segmented construction of the housing and fire segmentedconstruction of the rotary ring enable the device to be quickly andeasily positionedabout a tubular member, while the lock means-associatedwith the housing and the lock or latch means .associatedwith the rotaryring positively engage the housingand the ring segments in rigidrelation to eachother to prevent relative movement thereof duringrotation of the rotary ring.

-The cam surface or cam arrangement designated generally at 40 providesthe surface 94 upon which-the roller edge99 is adapted to engage, andadditionally provides the deeper cam surface 95 so that the roller'99will engage with the surface 94. quickly asit moves towards the surface,and on the other hand will disengage from the cam surface 94 rapidly asit moves away from engagement therewith.

Broadly the invention relates to a power tong which overcomes manyof theproblems encountered at the present time.

What is claimed is:

l. A power tong for rotating tubular members including a rotary ringhaving gear teeth on its outer periphery whereby it may be rotated totransmit rotation to a tubular member about which said rotary ring ispositioned, saidrotary ring being formed of segments with -two segmentsbeing pivotally mounted on a third segment whereby said rotary ring maybe opened to receive a tubular member therein and thereafter closedabout the tubular member, jaw segments slidably mounted on each of saidrotary ring segments and extending substantially circumferentially aboutthe tubular member to grip it, a plurality of roller meanscircumferentially spaced to support said rotary ring, a housing tosupport said roller means, said housing being formed in segments whichare pivotally connected together whereby it may be opened simultaneouslywhen said rotary ring is opened to receive the tubular member therein,lock means on saidtwo rotary ring segments cooperating when said rotaryand housing are closed to lock said rotary segments together againstrelative movement when rotation is imparted to said rotary ring, andcooperating cam surface means on one of said rotary. ring'segments andone of said jaw-segments whereby rotation of said rotary ring feeds saidjaw segments inwardly to grip the tubular member and rotate it.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said cooperating camsurface means includes a roller mounted on said jaw segment, and arecessed portion on said rotary segment adjacent said roller wherebyrotation of said rotary segment engages said roller and recessed portionand forces said jawsegment inwardly to grip the pipe, and means toactuate said cam surface means in either direction of rotation of saidrotary ring and to release said jaws from the tubular member in eitherdirection of rotation.

3. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said last named meansincludes a window in said jaw segment, openings at each end of saidwindow in said r0- tary ring, and pin means for fitting in either ofsaid openings whereby said pin' locks said jaw segment and ring segmentfor rotation together in one direction to prevent engagement of saidjaws with the tubular member, but accommodating a relativemovement-between said jaw and segment in the other direction to forcesaid 3 j-aw segment'into. engagement with the tubular member.

4. The combination recited in claiml wherein'said lock means on saidrotary ring segments includes roller means adapted to abut said'housingas said rotary ring rotates, a carrier supporting said roller in one ofsaid segments, a plunger mounted on said carrier and extending throughsaidsegment in whichsaid carrier is mountring segment, said plungermoving into said opening when said rotary ring rotates in said housingto lock said rotary ring segments against relative movement, and latchmeans for holding said housing closed when said ring segments are lockedtogether.

5. A power tong for rotating tubular members including a rotary ringhaving gear teeth on its outer periphery whereby it may be rotated totransmit rotation to a tubular member about which said rotary ring ispositioned, said rotary ring being formed of segments with two segmentsbeing pivotally mounted on a third segment whereby said rotary ring maybe opened to receive a tubular member therein and thereafter closedabout the tubular member, jaw segments slidably mounted on each of saidrotary ring segments and extending substantially circumferentially aboutthe tubular member to grip it, a plurality of roller meanscircumferentially spaced to support said rotary ring, a housing tosupport said roller means, said housing being formed in segments whichare pivotally connected together whereby it may be opened simultaneouslywhen said rotary ring is opened to receive the tubular member therein,lock means on said two rotary ring segments cooperating when said rotaryand housing are closed to lock said rotary segments together againstrelative movement when rotation is imparted to said rotary ring,cooperating cam surface means on one of said rotary ring segments andone of said jaw segments whereby rotation of said rotary ring feeds saidjaw segments inwardly to grip the tubular member and rotate it, andwherein said rotary segments each include a central plate having saidgear teeth on its outer periphery, upper and lower plates mountedthereon, said central plate being wider than said upper and lower platesand said upper and lower plates being adjacent, but spaced from theouter periphery of said central plate, said roller means comprisingspaced upper and lower rollers on a shaft for receiving said centralplate therebetween, said rollers abutting the edge of each said upperand lower plates respectively to support said rotary, and means mountedon said housing to retain said rotary ring therein.

6. The combination recited in claim wherein said slidable mounting forsaid jaw segments on said pivotally mounted ring segments includes awindow in said central plates of each of said pivotally mounted ringsegments, and a pin fixed in each jaw segment and extending through saidwindow to slidably support said jaws on said central plate.

7. A power tong for fitting about a tubular member to transmit torquethereto comprising a hollow housing, including a main segment portion,and segments pivotally mounted on said main portion to define an openingin said housing when said pivoted segments are engaged, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced roller means mounted in said housing, a rotaryring formed of segments supported by said roller means, a jaw segmentmounted on each of said rotary ring segments for engaging a tubularmember extending through said housing opening, gear means mounted insaid housing and gear teeth on said segmented ring whereby rotation maybe imparted to said segmented ring and jaws supported thereon, said jawsegments being slidably mounted on said rotary segments, cooperating camsurface means on at least one of said rotary ring segments and at leastone of said jaw segments whereby rotation of said rotary ring feeds saidjaw segments inwardly to grip the tubular member and rotate it, saidcooperating cam surface means including a roller means mounted on saidjaw segment, and a recessed portion on said rotary segment adjacent saidroller whereby rotation of said rotary segment engages said roller andrecessed portion and forces said jaw segment inwardly to grip the pipe,and means to actuate said cam surface means in either direction ofrotation of said rotary ring and to release said jaws from the tubularmember in either direction of rotation.

8. The combination recited in claim 7 wherein said roller means aremounted in said housing to abut said segmented ring for support thereof,and means associated with said roller means for adjusting them toposition said roller means closer to said ring as wear occurs betweensaid roller means and ring.

9. The combination recited in claim 7 wherein said last named meansincludes a window in said jaw segment, openings at each end of saidwindow in said rotary ring, and pin means for fitting in either of saidopenings where by said pin locks said jaw segment and ring segment forrotation together in one direction to prevent engagement of said jawswith the tubular member, but accommodating a relative movement betweensaid jaw and segment in the other direction to force said jaw segmentinto engagement with the tubular member.

10. A power tong for fitting about a tubular member to transmit torquethereto comprising a hollow housing, including a main segment portion,and segments pivotally mounted on said main portion to define an openingin said housing when said pivoted segments are engaged, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced roller means mounted in said housing, a rotaryring formed of segments supported by said roller means, a jaw segmentmounted on each of said rotary ring segments for engaging a tubularmember extending through said housing opening, gear means mounted insaid housing and gear teeth on said segmented ring whereby rotation maybe imparted to said segmented ring and jaws supported thereon, said jawsegments being slidably mounted on said rotary segments, cooperating camsurface means on at least one of said rotary ring segments and at leastone of said jaw segments whereby rotation of said rotary ring feeds saidjaw segments inwardly to grip the tubular member and rotate it, saidcooperating cam surface means including a roller means mounted on saidjaw segment, and adjacent cam surface portions on said rotary segmentone of which is a deeper cam surface than the cam surface adjacentthereto whereby engagement of said roller means and said deeper camsurface portion affects rapid radial movement of said jaw segments togrip the tubular member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,955,727 Adams Apr. 24, 1934 2,510,813 Gean June 6, 1950 2,639,894Smith May 26, 1953 2,650,070 Lundeen Aug. 25, 1953 2,846,909 Mason Aug.12, 1958 2,933,961 Adams Apr. 26, 1960

